Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-16
RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for
Our Agricultural
Readera
Information Of Value to the Farmer.
Stock.Breeder, Housewife, and
Kitchen. Maid.
AGRICULTURE.
D;0esttb;z;t,, Of Han.

The Germantown Telegraph summa-
iizes some digestion experiments made at
the Maine Experiment Station, from which
We lind that in the consumption of hay and
clover, there is, perhaps, under ordinary
circumstances, q less proportion digested
and so rendered available in the growth or
fattening of animals than is generally sup
posed. The composition of timothy hay is
given rs follows: Protein compound,
6.94; crude fiber, $3.50; nitrogen free ex-
tract, 47.41; fat, 2.97. OF the above there
is under ordinary circumstances digested,
protein compounds, 81; crude fiber, 1874;
nitrogen free extract, 27.9; fat, Ia.
BY the above it appears that only about
one-half of the nutritive principles of tim
othy are digested. In the case Of clover
hay, the result is very nearly the same, the
only difference of any account being in the
fact that clover hay furnishes about twice
as much of the protein compounds as the
timothy. Assuming that 1876 pounds of
timothy is cut from an acre, there will be
digested 104.6 pounds Of protein matter,
while from an acre of 4,O75 pounds of
clover hay would be digested 1852 of pro-
tein, with but little difference in the fat
and nitrogen free extract. AS the protein
contains the substance of animal tissue,
this is important in the feeding of growing
Farm \ otes.
TREES froln distant nurseries can be Or
dered safely in the fall, and if packed
properly they will come in the best condi-
ton. AS there will usually be no special
hurry, they can come by freight, and the
transportation will not be very expensive.
They carry best in boxes.
IT is not necessary that q pig house
should not freeze, but it is necessary that
the air should be free from dampness and
the chilliness which is connected with a
cellar in warm, damp places. Hogs are
very susceptible to colds, both inward and
outward, and to rheumatism.
AMONG the leading breeds of domestic
ducks the Aylesbury is worthy the highest
commentator. They are an improved En-
glish product, popular in their own coun-
try and fast gaining friends among our
American breeders. In them the farmer,
cottager, and fancier have large sized
bird for market or home use, and one that
is remarkably hardy and productive.
One of the principal causes of heaves
in horses is the feeding of dusty or dirty
hay. Ordinary clean hay can always be
fed with safety if properly cut up, moist
ened, and mixed with ground grain, but to
feed the musty or dirty sorts is very in
furious. Glover, owing to its liability to
crumble, often gets dirty, even after
storage, and should never be fed without
previously being moistened.
FEATHERS are very rich in nitrogen, and
should be used to add to the strength of
the manure heap. Like bones, they may
be quickly reduced by soaking them in a
solution of sulphuric acid and covering
them with coarse compost, with which
they may be subsequently mixed. Indeed,
SO strong are they that if properly dis
tributed and applied the results on crop
of corn will be surprising.
The latest plan with ensilage is to cut
the entire corn crop-stalks, ears, and all
into the silo. The kernels of the corn
will be wholly digested by the cattle, as it
does not dry out nor lose it's milky charac-
ter, which gives it succulence for rapid di-
gestion. A farmer who has made this point
one of special Investigation so reports, and
afirms that there is not visible trace of
corn in the weddings.
EDWARD BURNETT, Deerfoot Farm,
claims that to the COW that makes the
most butter from given amount of food
belongs the honors. Yes, but "butter
tests" are made to boom family of stock
by sort of legerdemain that aims to make
the public believe that the record comes
from the COW rather than the feed. When
honors must be placed on profitable results
there will be no more public tests.